Celltrion's autoimmune disease biosimilars achieve solid growth in Italy

Celltrion said its autoimmune disease biosimilars are making significant strides in Italy, one of the five largest pharmaceutical markets in EU. The other four are Germany, Spain, the U.K., and France.

Notably, the company's Italian subsidiary has successfully secured bids, particularly for Yuflyma (ingredient: adalimumab), a biosimilar referencing Humira to treat autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and psoriasis.

The Celltrion Italy branch recently won bids for Yuflyma in Lazio and Campania, two of Italy's most critical regions. The two account for about 20 percent of Italy's adalimumab market.

Celltrion will supply Yuflyma to Lazio for three years starting from the second quarter of this year and to Campania for two years beginning in the third quarter.

According to IQVIA, a pharmaceutical market research firm, Yuflyma had a market share of 28 percent in Italy in the first quarter of this year, an increase of over 10 percentage points compared to the previous quarter. 

Also, Celltrion's Remsima SC, the world’s only infliximab subcutaneous (SC) formulation, is solidifying its presence in Italy, leveraging its successful bids.

In addition to securing a bid from the Campania regional government in July, Celltrion's Italian subsidiary has captured the market in regions such as Piemonte, Valle d’Aosta, and Molise through exclusive bids for Remsima SC, avoiding competition.

Remsima SC has been awarded bids in nearly all 21 regions of Italy except one.

Remsima IV has also continued its success in Italy. Celltrion won bids in Lombardy, Campania, and Abruzzo, securing over 20 percent of the entire infliximab market.

The recently awarded contracts ensure that Remsima will be supplied in these regions for two years, from the third quarter of this year until 2026.

The company expects that its recent bid wins will further solidify the market dominance of the Remsima product line.

In the first quarter of this year, the Remsima portfolio recorded a market share of 44 percent, an increase of about 10 percentage points from the previous quarter. Notably, Remsima SC alone captured an 18 percent share, reinforcing its rapid growth and market position.

The company attributed its recent success to its tailored bidding strategy, which focuses on the specific needs of the bidding entities, highlighting the strengths of its products and ensuring stable supply.

Celltrion plans to enhance its marketing activities by actively participating in various local conferences across Italy in the second half of the year, aiming to increase brand awareness for both the company and its products.

"We have achieved remarkable success in Italy by leveraging the competitive strength of Celltrion’s autoimmune disease treatments, recognized globally, combined with a market-specific direct sales strategy,” Celltrion's Italy Subsidiary Regional General Manager Yoo Won-sik said. “We will continue to sustain our bidding successes and ramp up aggressive marketing efforts in the latter half of the year to ensure that more patients across Italy and Europe have access to Celltrion's biosimilars."